Home Town Spotlight: Cota Round Barns Hold Unique History [VIDEO]

ST. GEORGE TOWNSHIP -- This week in our Home Town Spotlight series we head to St. George Township, just west of Duelm, and see the unusual but historic Cota Round Barns.

Built by Alphonse Cota in the 1920's (1921 and 1923) the two barns comprise not only a unique landmark but also made a statement during that time.

"The barns were built because Al attempted to help the agricultural world, but they were also advertising because the other barns were made out of wood and brick and his was made out of concrete," says Ostby.

Mary Ostby is the Executive Director of the Benton County Historical Society. She says the barns were designed to bring in a new age of farming, however the fad never really took off.

"Overall I think the barns didn't do any better for farming, and with the changing times in agriculture it probably doesn't make them as efficient by today's standards," says Ostby.

To this day the two Cota Round Barns can still be seen standing from the road side. They even landed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"There is probably less than 150 polygon, octagon or round buildings left standing," says Ostby.

There are only four round barns known in Minnesota to still remain. Ostby says even though the barns are now on two separate properties, they still spark interest from travelers.